DRAGONS forward Tariq Sims is confident a switch back to the edge at club level can reboot his push for a maiden NSW jumper in 2018.
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Sims’ progression to the State of Origin arena looked very much a matter of when, not if, when he burst on the scene with North Queensland in 2011.
He was called into the Blues squad that season before twice breaking his leg in the space of seven games, putting the hand brake on his rep ambitions.
Injury and suspension also led to a frustrating one and a half seasons in Newcastle before a mid-season switch to the Dragons in 2016.
It allowed the likes of Tyson Frizell, Josh Jackson and Wade Graham to leapfrog Sims in the pecking order, but the 29-year-old is adamant the selection bus hasn’t passed him by.
“You look at a guy like Corey Parker, he got better with age,” Sims said.
“Obviously he was exceptionally durable but I believe, if you’re playing good enough football, you deserve to be there.
“It’s still a huge burning desire for me. With the change of coach hopefully there’s a shake-up in the playing roster and [NSW coach Brad Fittler] might bring in some different players of age and experience.
“It’s 100 per cent on my to-do list over the next one or two years, to get a few games in and hopefully be in the mix to be able to go out there and test myself in the toughest game in rugby league.”
They were career-threatening at the time, but the Gerringong product says the early struggles, and long hours in the rehab room, have fueled him a through another grueling preseason.
“Things happen for a reason, I don’t dwell on anything, I don’t regret anything” he said.
“Sometimes you get dealt some crappy cards. That’s life. How you come back and how you respond to those tough times shows what type of person you really are.
“It’s one of the things that keeps me going during preseason, that you could be stuck in a rehab room staring at four walls doing it by yourself.
“You could also be working and digging holes for 10 hours a day. All those things encourage you to go a bit harder, it’s what keeps me motivated.”
Having spent the bulk of his time at the Dragons as a middle forward, Sims has also set his sights on the left edge spot vacated by the departed Joel Thompson.
“I want that left-edge, 100 per cent,” he said.
“Wherever Mary [coach Paul McGregor] needs me, I’m willing to go. That’s how much I respect him and love playing for him, but deep down I want that left back-row spot and I’ll do anything to make it mine.”